By Jessica Porter, DPT
One of my favorite times of day is sunrise. It reminds me of the fresh, new start we are given to make the most of the day ahead. Unfortunately, this time of day is often slept through or hurried past. Like a runner being released from the runner’s block, we sprint into our day at the sound of our alarm clocks ringing and tune out the environment around us as we focus on the goal to get through yet another day. But the gentle awakening of the sun each morning seems in stark contrast to our daily plight. The reflections of light that are cast by its rising glow shine into our hearts, begging us to reflect on deeper things than just the tasks ahead of our day. It beckons us to stop, slow down and enjoy the day we are being given. God gives us many gifts such as this to remind us to be still and break the ever-busy cycle of just doing. If only we would do a better job of stopping to heed these gifts and allow them to cause our hearts to move from the material constraints of this world to the non-material thoughts that can deepen our relationship with God and others. Such was the case of the gift I received while working as lead wrangler for a camp that served special needs individuals.
It was a day like any other. I had gotten up early to tend the chores with the other wranglers, and after breakfast we prepared the horses for the many riders that would be coming to our barn. Every camper had some kind of special need, which took a lot of creativity when helping them get on a horse. Fortunately, each camper was also required to have a “buddy” to help them navigate the day and activities. These buddies were often middle school to high school age. One buddy in particular stood out to me this day. He was accompanying a camper who was in a wheelchair. This camper was a red headed young man with big brown eyes, a toothy grin and probably around the same age as his buddy. He had very tight, flexed arms and legs that he couldn’t move very well. He was unable to propel his wheelchair by himself so his buddy was his main source of transportation around the camp grounds. These two had arrived early to horseback riding this particular day and were a part of the last group we had before lunch time. They sat close to one of our horses who was tied to a railing, patiently waiting for the rest of the riders to arrive. I watched the camper study the large horse in front of him through the glasses that rested on the end of his nose. Then, with consideration coupled by fascination, his buddy carefully took his friend’s hand and assisted him to stretch his tight, reluctant arm out to pet the horse. A smile from ear to ear light up the camper’s freckled face. Since none of the other campers in their group had arrived yet, I sat quietly watching the scene before me. I was inspired by the moment. I had been petting and working with horses all day, but the accomplishment and thrill it was for this young camper reminded me what I was really here doing.
Suddenly our peaceful moment under the covered waiting area began to fill with the rest of the campers from the young man’s group. It became loud and slightly chaotic. We captured the group of riders’ attention just long enough to share the rules, then began our routine of taking riders through the trail. Every camper rode, including the young man that was in a wheelchair. His smile was present during the entire activity and something just seemed so different about him than all the other campers in his group. As soon as all the campers had taken their turn to ride, the lunch bell rang. You couldn’t have cleared that barn faster if you had yelled “fire”. Campers and buddies started to make a dash over to the lunch hall. Except for my new friend in his wheelchair looking up at me. I could tell he had something to say, but just as it was hard for him to move his arms and legs, it was also hard for him to move his mouth to form words. His kind-hearted buddy was just as intent on the lunch bell as all the others and didn’t realize the communication that was occurring between me and his friend. He grabbed hold of the camper’s wheelchair and quickly began to roll it away. “Wait a minute!” I said urging him to set aside his appetite for just a moment longer. He respectfully stopped at my command. “Your friend has something to say.” I told him as I bent down looking eye to eye with the young man in the wheelchair. “What did you want to tell me?” The young camper’s smile finally faded as he focused to form the words. He took deep breaths preparing his lungs to project as best as they could. His eyes were intent on mine as he said,“Th..th..” He swallowed hard to clear his throat then taking another deep breath he tried again. “Thhh…aa…n..k……… A moment’s pause passed by as the second word was formulating behind his now watery eyes… Y…o..u.”
A long space of silence followed this young man’s kind words and I could feel the salty tears sting my eyes as I blinked them away. Suddenly, it was hard for myself to get words out because of the lump that grew in my throat as I realized what made this camper so different. Gratitude. Here he is sitting in a wheelchair with so much he could be complaining about and instead he’s telling me “thank you”!
“You’re welcome”, I squeaked out of my voice while grasping the camper’s hand to shake it. As I rose to my feet, I watched the young boy’s smile slowly return to his face. And like the sun rise in the morning, his face was a complete glow once the smile had fully risen. I watched the camper and his buddy turn and stroll over to the lunch hall as I reflected on this moment I had just been gifted. Gratitude is not just saying “thank you”. Gratitude is a condition of your heart. It’s what made this young man different. It was evident in his countenance, in his kindness towards others, in his respectfulness, in his actions and it was made even clearer by his words. Gratitude is being able to give thanks in any circumstance. And if you are a Christian, it is commanded of you. For it is written in the Bible, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18.
